Today, the Prince of Wales will visit Bedfordshire to put the spotlight on traditional UK SMEs that use the heritage of their products to increase overseas sales.
On his visit to Jordans Mill in Biggleswade the Prince will meet six locally based companies including a 300 year old hat maker and a brewer with over 100 years experience. The firms export to countries both within Europe and further afield including USA, UAE, and Japan.
Helen Nellis, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming the Prince of Wales to our county and introducing him to the range of excellent businesses which thrive in our community. Jordans provides a wonderful setting in which to showcase the best of Bedfordshire.”
The export section of the Prince’s visit to the region has been organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) as part of efforts to promote exporting and help the government achieve its target of getting up to 100,000 more SMEs to export which would generate an extra £30 billion for the UK economy.
Liz Basing, Regional Director of East of England, said: “More and more companies are finding that there is a strong demand overseas for products that have both the heritage and badge of quality given by the ‘Made in Britain’ stamp. Companies that seek out help from UKTI do better and I encourage businesses inspired by today’s visit to get in contact with us.”
The Prince will meet Boatswain Lighting, Brinkley Propeller Services Ltd, The Jordans & Ryvita Company Ltd Tusting and Burnett Ltd, Walter Wright Ltd and Charles Wells Ltd, all of which have received, or are about to receive, support from UKTI to export.
Last month UKTI launched a new national campaign, Exporting is GREAT, which is targeting almost 3 million people with the ambition of generating 3000 appointments with UKTI Advisers and driving £1.2 billion in export revenue from the leads it generates.
